Novak Djokovic Injury: After Rafael Nadal announced that he will miss this year’s Madrid Open, World n0.1 and defending champion Novak Djokovic has also pulled out of the Madrid Open 2023. The announcement was made by my the organizers in a post uploaded on their Instagram account. Djokovic’s withdrawal doesn’t come as a shock as he was seen playing with a strapping in Monte Carlo and had said that he had an elbow issue. This is a blow to Djokovic’s preparations for the French Open 2023, which starts at the end of May. Follow Madrid Open 2023 Live Updates on InsideSport.IN
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The Serb, 35, suffered a straight-set defeat by compatriot Dusan Lajovic in the quarter-finals at Banja Luka in Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday.
Djokovic was beaten by underdog Lorenzo Musetti at the Monte Carlo Masters earlier in April and said ahead of the Srpska Open that his elbow was “not in an ideal condition”.
Neither Djokovic or Rafael Nadal, joint record 22-time Grand Slam champions, will take part in Madrid, a key part of the preparation for Roland Garros.
Djokovic missed tournaments earlier this year at Indian Wells and Miami, over his refusal to get a Covid-19 vaccination.
Novak Djokovic Injury: 22 time Grand Slam Champion on why he is missing Madrid Open 2023
“I was many levels below what I want,” said the two-time French Open champion on Friday, after his defeat by world number 70 Lajovic.
“Playing like that, I can’t win against opponents who are so solid on this surface. But what can I do? It’s simply sport. I was trying but it wasn’t working.
“I didn’t feel very good physically on court. My legs were slow, I missed a lot of balls. I played well at times, but generally well below standard.”
Novak Djokovic Injury: After Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic set to miss Madrid Open, World No.1 suffers elbow injury – Check Out